05/28/2013 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

Memorial Day Weekend is past, so I guess summer in Yuma is really and truly here.  But that doesn’t mean things are slowing down here in Old Town!  For instance, this Friday, May 31^st, the NexGen Leadership Council is putting on another “Movie & a Beer Night” at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main Street) with a showing of the immortal cinematic classic “The Blues Brothers.”  The doors and and more importantly the bar opens at 6:00 PM, the show starts at 7:00.  Admission is free, but with a suggested donation of $5.

 

7:00 PM Friday will also see the kickoff of the Lutes Summer Jazz Series.  This will be a series of live musical performances over the course of the summer by Yuma’s renowned Yuma Jazz Company Quintet along with special guest artists at Lutes Casino (221 S. Main), just a half-block down the street from the Wine Cellar.  There will be at least seven events on Fridays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, beginning May 31^st and continuing through August 30^th.  There’s no cover charge for the performances, which will be presented by Lutes’ Casino and sponsored by Yuma’s public radio station, KAWC FM/AM.  So you see, there’s lots to do downtown this weekend – just be sure to get things started properly by stopping by the Wine Cellar first to sample some great vino!

 

THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or $10.00 for a full glass:

Bonterra 2011 Viognier (Mendocino County)    $15.99
Once found only in a small region in the Rhone River Valley of sourthern France, Viognier is emerging as a popular white wine varietal.  This fresh, delicious white exudes scents of spring wildflowers and tangerines and delivers bright flavors of fresh peaches, apricots and citrus fruits.

 

La Crema 2011 Pinot Noir (Monterey County)    $22.99
This opens with fragrant scents of dark cherry, ripe strawberries, Indian spices and a subtle saline note.  In the mouth, forward flavors of black cherries, black raspberry, spice and vanilla-laced oak are nicely framed with gentle tannins.

 

Pinnacoli 2008 Primitivo di Manduria (Puglia, Italy)    $14.99
This Puglian Primitivo offers a Zinny array of spicy black and red fruit aromas with light herb notes.  The tannins are gentle, balancing the ripe richness of the fruit with touches  of coffee, ending with a hint of cinnamon.

 

Delas 2010 Côtes du Rhône Saint-Esprit (Rhone Valley, France)   $12.99
Saint Esprit is crafted from a blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes, sourced from a small village in the Ardeche region. The vineyard’s southern exposure on steep, granitic hillsides provides superb growing conditions for the vines. This is a supple, silky Rhone red, with complex flavors of blackberry, mocha, pepper and herbs.

 

North Star 2008 Stella Maris (Columbia Valley)    $22.99
This is an elegant red blend from Washington, offering subtle layers of blackberry, cherry and licorice aromas and flavors that come together harmoniously.  The tannins are solid, but not overly firm.  It drinks beautifully now, but should develop for another decade.

 

Seghesio 2009 Sangiovese (Alexander Valley)    $26.99
This is 100% estate Sangiovese, sourced from Seghesio’s Home Ranch Vineyard and Rattlesnake Hill Vineyard in Alexander Valley.  It has classic varietal character, with rich red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry edged with accents of anise and old leather.  Vibrant acidity and firm tannins give this complexity and depth.

 

NEW ARRIVALS:

 

Chateau Puy-Blanquet 2009 St.-Emilion Grand Cru (Bordeaux, France)    $29.99
This Right Bank blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc offers a polished texture and finely layered flavors.  It opens with beautiful, perfumed aromas of berries, red currants and gentle cinnamon-like spice.  The palate offers a wealth of cherry and dark berry fruit flavors.

 

Four Vines 2007 Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)    $15.99
A deep purple in hue, this Paso Petite opens with brooding scents of dark black fruit.  The palate offers a rich, full mouth-feel, with elements of chocolate and mocha framing bright fruit flavors of blueberry, raspberry, black cherry and dark plum.

 

Seghesio 2011 Arneis (Russian River Valley)    $22.99
Arneis is an ancient grape varietal, long grown only in northern Italy’s Piedmont region.  This rare California version by Seghesio is a fresh, crisp, and slightly floral white with bright flavors of peach, apricot and citrus.  The dry finish is bracingly clean, with a hint of almonds and a tangy minerality.

 

Maredsous Tripel Abbey Ale (Belgium)    $11.99
This Belgian Tripel pours with an amber orange color and frothy white head.  The aroma is tropical, with a touch of spices.  The flavors blend savory elements of dried fruit, like apple, pear and banana with a light caramel maltiness and a hint of honey.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer
Od Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com